This weekend marks a powerful full-circle moment in motorsports as Robert Wickens makes his return to top-tier racing, taking the wheel of the No. 36 DXDT Racing Corvette Z06 GT3.R in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Long Beach.
It’s been seven years since the 2018 crash at Pocono that left him with paraplegia, and this moment symbolizes not just a comeback, but a redefinition of what’s possible in professional racing.
Wickens’ story is one of unrelenting grit. After an IndyCar rookie season that saw him earn widespread acclaim and Rookie of the Year honors, a devastating spinal injury in a high-speed crash could have ended his racing journey.
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Instead, it began a new chapter. Over the next few years, Wickens battled through recovery, stunned the world by standing at his wedding, and made his return to full-time racing in 2022 using specially developed hand controls.
Now, in 2025, he’s ready for the big leagues again. Wickens will compete in the GTD class at Long Beach, sharing the car with Corvette factory driver Tommy Milner.
Their driver change, which must be executed in under 15 seconds, is the result of rigorous practice—a challenge intensified by the fact that the car must seamlessly accommodate two completely different control systems: Milner’s foot pedals and Wickens’ custom hand-control system integrated into the steering wheel.
That system, developed through a partnership between Chevrolet, DXDT Racing, Pratt Miller, and Bosch, is a marvel of engineering. It uses tech adapted from the Le Mans Daytona Hybrid racing class and had to be durable enough for elite competition while being intuitive for Wickens and non-intrusive for Milner.
GM also backed the initiative through GM Able, its accessibility-focused employee group, helping ensure the project carried not only innovation but real inclusion.
For Wickens, simply getting behind the wheel of a Corvette GT3.R represents a dream fulfilled. But this isn’t just about personal victory. He envisions a future where adaptive racing tech has a standardized curriculum, paving the way for young disabled drivers from karting to the pros.
Right now, hand control systems lack a consistent design, meaning every adaptive driver must essentially learn a new language with each new vehicle. Wickens hopes to help fix that.
In 2025, Wickens is scheduled to compete in five IMSA events, with a full 11-race season in sight for 2026. But Long Beach is more than a race—it’s a signal that he’s back at the level he was always destined to race in. “Every lap, every corner they’re fighting,” he says of his competition. “And that’s exactly what I want in my career. If I can succeed there, I feel like I can succeed anywhere.”
Wickens credits this comeback to a collective belief. “I wouldn’t be here without GM, Bosch, and DXDT,” he said. “It was such a collaborative effort, and everyone had to believe this could happen. I’m proud to represent GM Able, and even prouder to be back.”
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